Family fun for residents and visitors during spring school holidays

Hargreaves Street Mall will host a free school holiday program featuring:

• The annual opening and Family Day celebration of Malamiya Mang 2026 ‘Then & Now’ from 10.30am-2pm on September 19 at DUMAWUL. Program of events running to October 6
• Music in the Mall – Lunchtime James featuring Earth Cadet, Jono Levy and Gus Wilde, 11am-2pm on Thursday September 24
• A Moonlight Market daytime event on the public holiday from 10am to 3pm on September 25
• The AFL Grand Final live on the big screen in the Mall on September 26
• Music in the Mall - Lunchtime Jams featuring Craig Atkins (SA) 11am-2pm on Thursday October 1
• Free art activities with Sarah the Painter from 11am-2pm from September 29 to October 3
• Bloom Face Painting with Brushstrokes by Bec from 11am to 1pm on Saturday October 3
• Music in the Mall – Saturday Jams with Mariah McCarthy + Steve McPartlane + Lloyd Dodsworth 11am-2pm on Saturday October 3

With more than 100 events and experiences, the Bloom spring program is well underway:

• Thousands of tulips and spring blooms are providing a colourful display in Rosalind Park and surrounds
• Village of Gnomes at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens from September 18 to October 4 invites you to find 11 gnomes hidden throughout the gardens
• Bloom After Dark at the Yi Yuan Gardens in the Dai Gum San Precinct, proudly presented by Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine to mark 175 years of gold in the Bendigo region. The gardens will have a spectacular golden illumination, open nightly from 6.30pm to 9.30pm during the school holidays. Free entry
• Bloom After Dark continues with illuminated tulip displays in Rosalind Park and interactive blooming flowers along Pall Mall
• View Street Amplified is from 10am to 1.30pm on September 19, featuring, blues-rock trio The Hoodoo Heathens (11am) and raucous instrumental group Gusto Gusto (12.30pm) plus DJ West Goornong Massive and buskers on View Street
• Bendigo Art Gallery’s Aunty Roslyn Mooies Stories Workshop (8-12 years) at DUMAWUL in the Mall, 1.30pm on September 23. Booking required
• The Harvest Moon Festival, hosted by the Bendigo Chinese Association at the Dai Gum San Precinct from 12pm to 8pm on the public holiday, Friday September 25. The event includes local food trucks, lion dance performances, and free entry
• The Bloomin' Good Market Pop-Up in Rosalind Park from 10am to 3pm on the public holiday showcasing a small range of local producers and artisans
• The full Bloomin’ Good Market with over 80 artisan stalls is on 10am to 3pm on September 27 in Rosalind Park
• Fosterville Gold Mine Panning for Gold from 10am to 3pm on Thursday October 1 in the Conservatory Gardens, Rosalind Park. Free activity
• Bendigo Art Gallery’s Felting Fun school holiday workshop (8-12 years) at Bendigo Library, 10.30am on October 1. Booking required
• The 2026 Loddon Valley Arts Trail Festival from October 2 to 4, featuring contemporary art, music, and place-based storytelling across more than 30 venues
• Bendigo Art Gallery Playing with Scale: Miniature Creations school holiday workshop (8-12 years) at Bendigo Library, 1pm on October 2. Booking required
• The Bendigo Latin Festival from 11am to 6.30pm on Saturday October 3 in Rosalind Park. Free entry
• The Vegecareian Festival at the Great Stupa on October 3 is a family-friendly celebration, including blessings for furry friends and activities for children
• The Creativerse returns to Ulumbarra theatre from 10am-4pm on October 3, produced by Arena Theatre Company offering a playground of possibilities. Booking required
• Curiosity: Building Breakthroughs in LEGOR is at the Discovery Science & Technology Centre. Booking required